The Times chronicles L.A. County homicide victims

Mohammad Usman Chaudhry, 21

March 28, 2008 | 7:20
am

Mohammad Usman Chaudhry, a 21-year-old young Pakistani American, who was a Muslim, according to family, was fatally shot at 1435 N. Curson St. in Hollywood at 4 a.m. Tuesday, March 25. According to police, Officer Joseph Cruz and his partner were patrolling the street when they saw a dark figure by an apartment complex. The officers approached to investigate and encountered Chaudhry lying behind some bushes. As Cruz was questioning Chaudhry, he pulled out a folding knife and stabbed Cruz on the left hand. Cruz pulled out his gun and fired several rounds at Chaudhry. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics pronounced Chaudhry dead at the scene at 4:21 a.m. Cruz was transported to Cedars Sinai Medical Center, where he was treated for lacerations and released, authorities said.

UPDATE: Initially the L.A. County Coroner identified Chaudhry as a black man, but family said he is a Pakistani American and a Muslim.